*Save Me a Piece of Cake*

I think I liked this card more before I added the sentiment to it.  First, the sentiment strip looks like it's a different shade of white (even though it was the same cardstock I used on the card), and honestly, it just doesn't quite fit.  But I glued it down and was stuck with it.

I think this it still an OK card, just not quite "right".

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Highland Heather
• Images:  Picket Fence Studios For You; MFT Distressed Patterns
• Ink:  Gina K Blue Raspberr, Wild Dandelion, Passionate Pink; Gina K Amalgam; Copics
• Tools: Stampin' Up! punch; Brother Scan 'n Cut; Perfect Layers
• Etc:  white gel pen; silver cording

*AAA#173*

Welcome to another challenge with the team at AAA Cards!  For the next two weeks, we want to see your cards that are clean a simple, follow the sketch below and you can use the optional twist of "at the movies".  Link up your creations for your chance to win a prize from CASual Fridays Stamps and to be featured as a guest designer in an upcoming challenge!

I was thankful I had not yet returned a borrowed stamp set to my friend Bonnie as it worked out perfectly for the optional twist...  although I feel like I'm missing a sentiment.  I stamped the popcorn bucket from the Catherine Pooler Book and Film stamp set and cut it out with my Brother Scan 'n Cut, gave it a quick colour with some makers and used foam adhesive to pop it up over the movie reel.

A very quick and easy, clean and simple card!

*Mandala Hello*

I absolutely love this Gina K stencil ... it's light and airy and just perfect for ink blending or for using stencil pastes.  And Distress Ink sure do blend well...

Items Used

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Stampin' Up! Highland Heather
• Dies:  Pink Fresh Hello word die
• Stencils:  Gina K Mandala Burst
• Ink:  Distress Ink in Mustard Seed, Salty Ocean, Picked Raspberry
• Tools:  Perfect Layers; Gemini Jr; Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes
• Embellishments:  Nuvo Aqua Shimmer pen

*Scrap 'n Stamp Random Acts of Cardness*

I hope you'e had fun playing with the design team with the Random Acts of Cardness prompts this month.  A little secret you may not know is that each of us chooses the words we want to do on the days we are scheduled to appear on the Scrap 'n Stamp blog.  For today, I chose the word "cheers" thinking it was a great word to go along with our blog hop this month... and then I had no idea of what to do with it!

So I took a page from Chala's book and pulled out my Foil Quill and my Silhouette and had a go at it  You can't tell from this photo very well but the words are done in a great pink foil.  So much shimmer in person!

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White; Lawn Fawn Licorice; unknown holographic
• Images:  Tonic Studios
• Ink:  Gina K Amalgam; Copics
• Embellishments:  Crystal Stickles; pink foil
• Tools:  Perfect Layers; Foil Quill; Silhouette

*White on White Flowers*

And here is the third card in an unintentional series....  we've had black flowers, black and white flowers and today is white flowers.

Items Used

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb
• Ink:  Gina K Wild Lilac
• Dies:  A Jillian Vance Design Open Daisy; MFT Celebrate
• Tools: Gemini Jr; Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes
• Etc:  foam dots

*Black and White Flowers*

I have a theme for posts lately it seems... yesterday was black flowers, today is black and white flowers and you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what the next card in the theme is.  Honestly, completely unintentional, but fun all the same!

Items Used

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Magenta Madness
• Images:  Wild Whisper May Your Day Be Happy; Avery Elle Loads of Wishes
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Versamark
• Etc:  white embossing powder, Nuvo Crystal Drops in Rhubarb Crumble

*Black Flowers*

Hello all... I'm back again with a beautiful ink blended background and this wonderful coverplate die by A Jillian Vance Design.  I like the bold look of the black flowers on this colourful background.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
• Images:  MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Gina K Passionate Pink, Wild Dandelion, Blue Raspberry
• Dies: A Jillian Vance Design Daisies Cover Plate; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Backer
• Tools:  Gemini Jr; Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes
• Embellishments:  Studio Katia Arctic Breeze Pearls

*Colourful Letters*

Another weekend come and gone... well for most of you.  My weekend is Sunday - Tuesday which makes Monday a great day in my books!  I truly love my 4-day work week!

Another card using that great stitched alphabet from Lawn Fawn and some bright patterned paper from MFT.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Tempting Turquoise
• Patterned Paper:  MFT Over The Rainbow
• Images:  Gina K Grand Greetings
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Dies:  Lawn Fawn Oliver's Stitched ABCs
• Embellishments:  Studio Katia Winter Wonderland Fusion sequins
• Tools:  Gemini Jr; Perfect Layers
• Etc: Foam adhesive

*You Did It!*

Back in the spring, a friend asked for some graduation cards for some of her family members.  This is one of the ones I created using a Tutti die.  I kept it super simple since the die is large.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
• Dies:  Tutti Designs You Did It
• Tools:  Perfect Layers; Gemini Jr
• Embellishments:  Lawn Fawn Shimmer Pen

*Birthday Candles*

Happy Saturday friends! We've had some wonderful summer weather in the last week and as we approach the end of August, I know I will be sad to see it go.  Summer is my favourite season, with spring close behind it.  Fall and winter follow, but not so closely in the competition.  The only good thing about fall is that I will soon start making Christmas cards.... my favourite cards to create!  

Since heading back to work in July, I have found myself with less time to create (obviously) and less mojo when I do I have time.  I'm thankful I had a bit of a stockpile of cards to still share with you all.  I will have to make some time in the coming weeks and encourage my mojo!

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb
• Images:  Lawn Fawn Happy Happy Happy, Simply Celebrate
• Ink:  Gina K Amalgam; Copics
• Embellishments:  Lawn Fawn Shimmer Pen; Studio Katia Sparkling Crystals

*Stencilled Birthday*

A few years ago, I wasn't at all interested in stencils... and suddenly I have more than a dozen.  I have no idea what changed my mind about them.  But I really like ink blending on them as well as using them with the Glimmer Paste.  For this card, I did both.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 100lb; Lawn Fawn Peacock
• Images:  MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes
• Ink:  Gina K Passionate Pink, Wild Lilac, Turquoise Sea
• Stencil:  Gina K Mandala Burst
• Tools:  Perfect Layers
• Etc:  Nuvo Glimmer Paste in Moonstone

*Laser Cut Paper*

A few years ago, Stampin' Up! sold this wonderful laser cut paper.  One side of it is their Very Vanilla colour and the other side is Whisper White. There were 12X12 sheets of design as well as multiple designs on one 12X12 sheet.  I had to have it... and then promptly didn't know what to do with it.

For this card, I cut out a piece from the full sheet design to adhere behind die cut window.  

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Lawn Fawn Sugarplum
• Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up! laser cut
• Images:  Studio Katia It's Your Birthday
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Dies:  Memory Box Square Basicis
• Etc:  foam tape

*Patterned Paper Flowers*

Apparently I was on a roll with this great MFT patterned paper.  I just love it.  I really should buy more of it LOL!

Items Used:

• Cardstock: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb
• Patterned Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow
• Images:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Tools:  Stampin' Up! punch; Perfect Layers
• Embellishments:  Stampin' Up!

*One Year Older Day*

It's a happy day in our house....  after 24 years in Calgary and in this house, we have air conditioning.  The weather in Calgary is pretty temperate but we do get some very hot days in the summer that make the house hot.  I've been wanting AC for a while now but this year was the year.  It's my 50th birthday present (and aren't I nice to ask for something I can share with the whole family?!).  It was installed last Thursday but there was an issue with our furnace and it wouldn't work.  The technician was back on Monday to get things sorted out and we've been enjoying a nice cool home during a big heat wave (we were up to about 90F in the last few days, which is hot for here).  Such a treat!

This card was quick to put together.  I could have added some embossed lines to it for some more interest, but I decided to leave it a little more simple.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb
• Patterned Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow
• Images:  MFT Anything But Basic Birthday
• Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Etc: Stampin' Up bling

*Alphabet*

Happy Monday Everyone!  I am back with a card I created for Scrap 'n Stamp... the prompt for todays Random Act of Cardness is Alphabet, so I grabbed some alphabet dies to play!  I love these stitched dies from Lawn Fawn... they are a great size and on regular cardstock, the stitched line adds a great interesting element.  You can't see it so well on this patterned paper, but it's there.

I started this card by cutting a smaller panel for the front of my card.  I decided to keep it kind of simple in terms of layers so instead of yellow cardstock, I used my new Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes to create a yellow strip on the white cardstock after taping off the area with Purple Tape.  I left it a little lighter in the centre and darker on the edges for a little more visual interest.  I cut the letters out of patterned paper and adhered the to the inked strip.  I added a layer of purple cardstock creating a 1/16th" border on all four sides and added it to a white card.  I then used my stamp positioning tool to add the "it's your birthday" stamped sentiment under the yellow ink.

There is a lot going on in those letters, but the overall look of the card is pretty clean and simple

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Lawn Fawn Sugarplum
• Patterned Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow
• Images:  MFT All Smiles
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Gina K Wild Dandelion
• Dies:  Lawn Fawn Oliver's Stitched ABCs
• Tools:  Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes; Perfect Layers; Stamp Positioner

*AAA#172*

 Happy Sunday!  It's time for another clean and simple challenge with the team from AAACards!  Our sponsor for this challenge is Joy Clair... you could win $25 to spend on stamps or digital images!  Our guest designer is Coni... please be sure to check out her blog!  I also invite you to visit the AAACards blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with!

I had to borrow some stamps from my good friend Bonnie for this challenge.  I have a few other hobbies but not one stamp to go with them!

Since it's a one layer card, I couldn't colour with my Copics since they would have bled through to the inside of the card, so I decided to play with coloured pencils (we call them pencil crayons in Canada).  I haven't coloured with them in ages!!!  I did a little blending on some pieces but I left the books a little grainy looking.

One thing I did that I am glad I thought of, was I left the stamp in my Misti while I coloured this image... I then went back and stamped it again to make the black lines really pop, especially in those spots where the coloured pencils went over the stamped lines.

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake
• Images:  Catherine Pooler Book & Film; Paper Rose Gnomies
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
• Etc:  coloured pencils
• Tools:  Misti

We look forward to seeing what you create!  Link up your creation (from a blog, Flicker or even Instagram) for your chance to win the prize from Joy Clair and to be a guest designer for an upoming challenge!

*Sweet Unicorn*

I really love these Gerda Steiner unicorns... they are just so dang cute and very easy to colour up.  

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

*Patterned Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow

*Images:  Gerda Steiner Moody Unicorns; MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes

*Ink:  Gina K Amalgam; Copics

*Dies:  Gerda Steiner Moody Unicorns

*Etc:  Nuvo Shimmer Pen; foam tape

*As Wonderful As You Are*

Once again, I was inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest... one I can't find again to share with you.  I can tell you that I think that person's card turned out better than mine did LOL!

I saw the card and instantly thought I should cut up some of the laser cut paper from Stampin' Up! that I have in my stash.  It was a little harder than I wanted it to be since the paper is so delicate and I honestly suck with a pair of scissors.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi

*Paper:  Stampin' Up!

*Images:  Gina K Crazy Daisy

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders circle die; Studio Katia Fancy Die (interior)

*Embellishments:  Honey Bee Prism Gem

*Foiled Birthday Wishes*

I love these foiled papers from Stampin' Up!  They are simply stunning on their own, but they also take colour wonderfully.  I've doing ink blending on them and for this one, I've used my Copics.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Granny Apple Green

*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!

*Images:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics

*Dies: Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Another Year Full*

After a couple of cards in a row that I really loved, today you get one I'm just not 100% sure about.  It's OK, it's not awful... but it just doesn't make my heart sing.  Maybe it's just me... just not my "cup of tea" so to speak.  

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Hammermill 100lb Premium Color Copy Cover; Stampin' Up! Melon Mambo

*Images:  Tonic Studios Peony Bloom; Gina K Where Flowers Bloom

*Ink:  Gina K Amalgam; Gina K Passionate Pink; Copics (YG21, YG25)

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  black Kaiser Pearls

*Flower Line*

I really like the colours on this card, even if I can't think of any flowers that are green in nature.  

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb

*Images:  Studio Katia Birthday Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Gina K Grass Green, Blue Lagoon

*Etc:  old flowers from Michael's; Honey Bee Prism Gems

*Sweet Birthday Wishes*

I love the card I am sharing with you today.  I can't explain what it is about this card, but looking at it makes me happy.  

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover 100lb

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Summer Flowers; Gina K Where Flowers Bloom; MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes

*Ink:  Gina K Amalgam; Copics

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles 2; Simon Says Stamp Summer Flowers; Gina K Where Flowers Bloom

*Etc:  Nuvo Shimmer Pen

*Awesome*

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by...  make it stop, or at least slow it down a bit!  I am not looking forward to cooler weather and shorter daylight hours.

I saw a card that used a coverplate die as a portion of a card front and decided to play with what I had on hand to make my own.  I did some ink blending and die cutting and stamping for this card.  I kinda like it and I hope you do too!

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White; Stampin' Up! Gorgeous Grape

*Images:  MFT Bitty Birthday Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; GinaK Turquoise Sea, Wild Lilac

*Dies:  unknown 

*Tools:  Misit; Perfect Layers; Life Changing Blending Brushes

*Lots of Flowers*

I am in love with this stamp set from Stampin' Up!  Such fun floral images with matching dies.  I paired the flower with some beautiful Gina K inks to create this card.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  Stampin' Up! Tropical Chic; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Ink:  Gina K Cherry Red, Sweet Mango, Wild Dandelion, Grass Green, Turquose Sea, Blue Raspberry, Wild Lilac; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Tropica; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer

*Etc:  Honey Bee gems; foam tape

*Celebrating Rainbow*

Ahhhh, another Friday.  Although Fridays don't mean a lot to me when I'm working as I work Wednesday thru Saturday.  And this is my first week back to my regular hours at work after having 8 months off and one month of working 2 days a week.  I'm missing the ability to let my inner lazy person shine, but I am happy to be back at the office and being busy again.  

I absolutely love this rainbow paper pack from My Favorite Things... I might have to buy another one.

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 100lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Patterned Paper:  MFT Over the Rainbow

*Images:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer

*Etc:  foam tape

*Commencing Happy Dance*

Good afternoon all... please excuse the mess around here.  Blogger has changed its user interface for posting and I have no idea if I have set things up correctly.  I will admit I usually schedule some posts in advance, which I am doing with this one and I have no idea if it's going to publish when I want it to.  One area says I've got it set for Thursday, another area says it is Monday.

Sigh

I'm not computer illiterate.  In fact, I like to think I'm pretty good at most computer stuff.  But sometimes changes are made to interfaces (smart phones too) and it takes me a while to figure things out.  Not to mention I think that sometimes the changes make some things more difficult.  That's the case with this Blogger update.  

I don't like it.  

I could revert to the old Blogger interface however it's only going to be around for a few more weeks so what's the point?  I have to learn the new interface at some point.

Anyway... enough of my complaining LOL!  On to a quick and simple card.

You could create a card like this for any occasion, using any colour combination, or even patterned paper.  

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Smoky Slate

*Images:  MFT Anything But Basic

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Lawn Fawn Everyday Sentiment Banners

*Lookin' Good*

I love the sentiment on the front of this card... it starts out with a beautiful complement, only to end with some snarkiness LOL!  That's kinda the way I roll...

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 100lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Images:  MFT Sassy Pants Birthday Greetings 2
*Ink:  VersaFine Clair Nocturne; Picked Raspberry Distress Ink
*Dies:  Unknown coverplate
*Tools:  Perfect Layers; Life Changing Blender Brushes
*Embellishments:  Frosted Lace Stickles

*CASology#372*

Welcome to another month-long challenge with the team at CASology!  We are all about the clean and simple cards!  We will be back to challenges every two weeks in September, but for the summer we're taking a little easier and only doing one per month.

For this month, we want to see what you create using the cue of "ball"...  lots of ideas out there really, but not a lot I had stamps for LOL!  Balls, games, fancy dress (ballgown), having fun.... Please share your creations with us on the CASology Blog for your chance to win a prize from STAMPlorations!

I decided to play with a new stencil for this challenge... they are circles, not quite true "balls", but you get the idea.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb, Stampin' Up! Highland Heather
*Images:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips
*Ink:  Versafine Claire Nocturne; Catherine Pooler It's a Boy and Sweet Sixteen
*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips and Simple Strips Backer
*Tools:  Paper Rose Bubbles Stencil; Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes
*Embellishments:  Nuvo Glimmer Paste in Moonstone
*Etc:  foam tape

*A Note To Make You Smile*

A while back, a creative friend of my suggested a different cardstock for when I'm playing with my Copics.  It's a little thinner than I like for a card base, but the Copics really do play nicely with this cardstock.  I'm not a great artist, I don't have patience for colouring, but I do enjoy a little blending from time to time.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Hammermill Premium Color Copy Cover 100lb; Stampin' Up! Magenta Madness, Highland Heather
*Images:  Wild Whisper May Your Day Be Happy; Taylored Expressions Simple Strips
*Ink: Copics; Gina K Amalgam
*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*AAA#171*

Happy Sunday everyone!  And welcome to another fun challenge with the team at AAACards!

Our sponsor for challenge #171 is Stamplorations!  If you play along and post a link to your card at AAACards, you'll have a chance to win a prize from them!

As always, the optional twist is optional....  but I (personally) like to try to follow it.  This one challenged me as I really don't have any stamps that are a beachy theme.  Instead, I found one that I thought looked a little like a beach umbrella, stole some sand from my hubby who was filling the cracks in the brick patio in the back yard and voila!  A beach card!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb
*Images:  Catherine Pooler Party Fans; MFT Rain or Shine
*Ink: Catherine Pooler Something Borrowed; Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Etc:  Sookwang double-sided tape; play sand

*August??!!*

I honestly don't know where the last 10 months of my life have gone.  When faced with surgery and chemo, I guess it's a good thing that everything between October and May went by quickly.... but I sure to wish that summer would have slowed down a little bit instead of flying past me at the speed of light!  The warm weather and beautiful flowers will be gone before we know it.   I really should live some where that it's summer all the time :-)

A pretty simple card for you today using a Stampin' Up! punch and some pretty colours.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Lawn Fawn assorted colours
*Images:  Close To My Heart From Me To You
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Tools:  Scor-Buddy; Stampin' Up! punch; Perfect Layers
*Embellishments:  Stampin' Up!